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OPENER Tino Mawoyo has recovered from injury and joined experienced bowlers Graeme Cremer and Shingi Masakadza in being recalled yesterday to Zimbabwe’s 20-man squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan. Wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva and all-rounder Tinashe Panyangare are also back in the squad after missing out on the 5-0 one-day international series loss to India, which ended at the start of the month.
Zimbabwe will host Pakistan in two tests, three ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals. The series starts tomorrow with the first T20 encounter in Harare.
It will be the fourth series of the year for Zimbabwe, heralding an increase in the frequency of international competition, but comes on the heels of the threat of a strike by players wanting better contract terms and the settlement of unpaid wages.
Zimbabwe have also been rocked by the decision of key fast bowler Kyle Jarvis to quit the team at the weekend to take up a three-year contract with Lancashire.
Meanwhile, Nasir Jamshed, the Pakistan batsman, has set his sights on a Test comeback after being dropped from the side ahead of the Zimbabwe tour.
Jamshed enjoyed a prolific ODI season last year, where he scored 462 runs in eight innings at an average of 66, establishing himself as a regular, though he didn’t hit the same highs in his 16 ODIs this year.
His Test performances, have been found wanting, with only 51 runs in four innings, and a high score of 46 in a difficult series in South Africa.
Speaking on the opening day of the national training camp on Tuesday, Jamshed said: “Test cricket is an important format and essential for every big player. I am disappointed over being dropped from the Test side. I will try my best to regain a place in the five-day format too by giving good performances in ODIs and T20s. If I am given another chance in Test cricket, you will find me a more mature player. I have realised my mistakes (in South Africa) and I have learnt the lessons.”
Another notable selection was of the allrounder Anwar Ali, who first gained prominence with his display of swing bowling during the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2006.
He has only played one T20I for Pakistan, in a match against Zimbabwe in Canada in October 2008. Since then he has worked on his batting, becoming a competent allrounder in the domestic scene.
Over the last two seasons, he has taken 107 wickets at the first-class level, while providing contributions with the bat as well.
Anwar was hopeful that his new-found ability with the bat would hold him in good stead for the tour: “This time I have come back in the team with improved batting skills too to play my role in the team as an effective all-rounder.”
Zimbabwe squad:
• Brendan Taylor (captain & wk)
• Regis Chakabva (wk)
• Tendai Chatara
• Chamu Chibhabha
• Elton Chigumbura
• Michael Chinouya
• Graeme Cremer
• Timycen Maruma
• Hamilton Masakadza
• Shingi Masakadza
• Tino Mawoyo
• Natsai M’shangwe
• Tinotenda Mutombodzi
• Tinashe Panyangara
• Vusi Sibanda
• Sikandar Raza
• Prosper Utseya
• Brian Vitori
• Malcolm Waller.
• Sean Williams. – Cricinfo
Bongani Ndlovu